64 WATER FOWL. 



brethren supposedly enjoying themselves in a most favor- 

 able location, turn in their course, and rapidly approach 

 the spot with answering- cries. As they draw near the de- 

 coys become silent, and the advancing birds also cease 

 their calling, and even though members of their 

 own race are standing in full view, with that wariness 

 and suspicion which is their very nature, they gaze with 

 watchful eyes about the place. Usually, seeing nothing 

 but their own kind before them, and stillness reigning 

 around, they set their wings preparatory to alighting. 



Nothing in Wild-fowl shooting than this oncoming 

 phalanx is more beautiful or attractive to the sportsman, 

 — sitting like a stone image in his box, hardly daring to 

 breathe, gripping his gun as if his fingers would sink 

 into the metal of the barrels, — as he peers between his 

 enveloping rushes. Onward they come, the birds float- 

 ing on silent wings, at equal distances apart, looming 

 up to the eyes of the stiflfened gunner in his crouch- 

 ing posture until they seem as large as Swan, and twice 

 as near as they really are. The decoys, as if they knew 

 what would be the result of this arrival of their brethren, 

 and (so like is bird nature to much of human 

 nature), rather exultant at the success of their share 

 in the deception, remain still and watch the approaching 

 birds. Getting nearly abreast of the leading decoy, the 

 flock swings around toward the wind and, facing the 

 breeze, with a few flaps glide gently into the water. 

 They now gather together in a bunch and, having satis- 

 fied themselves that they have nothing to fear, swim 

 gradually up to the decoys, and frequently commence 

 to fight with them, but finding that they are fastened to 

 something, and some of the captives beginning to 

 struggle for freedom, their easily aroused suspicions are 

 awakened, and they l)egin to move away. 



